Arlee topples Mission in final seconds

ST. IGNATIUS — First-year Arlee coach Zanen Pitts called a timeout with 10 seconds left in the game.

The Warriors trailed 72-71 and had nearly turned the ball over.

Pitts had to get a play called.

So he turned to senior Josh Reed in the huddle. The 6-5 forward already had 28 points in the contest, and Pitts wanted another bucket, but Mission’s defense had Reed pinned, so P.J. Haynes turned to sophomore Patrick BigSam after the inbound.

Open from 3-point range, BigSam knocked down a buzzer-beating shot that will no doubt have long life in Arlee hoops folklore.

Arlee 76, Mission 74. Final.

“We were going to try to get it into Josh,” Pitts explained. “The play broke down, and we were working on getting to that high post and kicking it out for three. … Patrick did a good job getting his feet under him and hit a big shot.”

Mission coach Steve Pelletier said the final few possessions weren’t ideal for the Bulldogs.

“We had a couple chances to possess the basketball and could not control it,” Pelletier said. “It was a barnburner, and it burned in their favor.”

It seemed like neither team could miss in the first half, as the Bulldogs took a 51-46 lead into intermission, but both teams went cold in the third quarter. Pitts said stout defense pulled Arlee (6-2) back into the game.

“We got some big steals and finished them,” he said.

The Warriors know all too well what it’s like to lose at the buzzer, Pitts said, citing a last-second loss at Charlo last season.

“It feels good to finally hit one rather than be the ones the shot’s hit on,” he said. “It felt really good, especially because Mission’s our biggest rival.”

BigSam finished with 14 points. Justis Haynes added 16 for Arlee.

The Bulldogs got a 26-point effort from Aaron Fisher-Ahenakew and another 23 from Stuart Grant.

Mission (4-4) is winless in 2014 after starting the season 4-0.

“We’re not consistent right now,” Pelletier explained. “It’s a mental thing. It’s recognition and anticipation-type things. It’s just growing pains.”

Pelletier hypothesized that the stunning loss could be just what the Bulldogs need to turn things around.

“All the players were great in the locker room,” he said. “Everybody is upbeat and positive. We’re not giving up. … We have what it takes. We just have to put it together.”

Arlee 76, Mission 74

Arlee 18 28 18 12 – 76

Mission 22 29 11 12 – 74

ARLEE – Zane Ligas 4, Isaac Desjarlais 4, P.J. Haynes 5, Justis Haynes 16, Dom Burland 2, Patrick BigSam 14, Aaron Perry 1, Josh Reed 28, Isaac Camel 2.

MISSION – Jarred Brown 4, Stuart Grant 23, Nick Durglo 4, Tate Weingart 1, Patrick Eichert 4, Aaron Fisher-Ahenakew 26, Will Powell 8, Bill Von Holtum 4.